How to Fix Windows 11 File Explorer Crashing or Not Responding (2026 Guide)

Why Is Windows 11 File Explorer Crashing?

File Explorer crashes in Windows 11 are almost always caused by one of these underlying issues:

• A corrupt Windows Explorer process that needs a restart
• Corrupted File Explorer history or Quick Access cache
• Third-party shell extensions (antivirus, cloud sync, archive tools) conflicting with the Explorer process
• Corrupted system files triggered by a failed Windows Update
• Corrupt icon cache causing blank/white icons and repeated crashes
• A specific Windows 11 update regression (KB5074105 in January 2026, April 2026 cumulative update)

This guide fixes all of them — start from Fix 1 and work down until the crashes stop.

Fix 1: Restart Windows Explorer

The fastest way to stop an active crash or freeze:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Find Windows Explorer in the list.
3. Right-click → Restart.

If File Explorer was open when it crashed, reopen it by pressing Win + E. This fix is temporary — if crashes keep recurring, continue with the fixes below.

Fix 2: Clear File Explorer History and Quick Access Cache

A corrupted Quick Access cache is one of the most common causes of repeated File Explorer crashes in Windows 11:

1. Open File Explorer → click the three-dot menu (…) at the top → Options.
2. On the General tab, change Open File Explorer to from Quick access to This PC.
3. Click Clear next to "Clear File Explorer history".
4. Click Apply → OK.

You can also clear the Quick Access pinned items manually:

del /f /q "%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\AutomaticDestinations\*"
del /f /q "%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\CustomDestinations\*"

Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run these commands, then restart Explorer.

Fix 3: Rebuild the Icon Cache

A corrupted icon cache causes blank desktop icons and can trigger repeated File Explorer crashes when it tries to render them:

taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
cd /d %userprofile%\AppData\Local
attrib -h IconCache.db
del IconCache.db
start explorer.exe

Run all these commands in an Administrator Command Prompt. Windows rebuilds the icon cache automatically when Explorer restarts.

Fix 4: Disable Shell Extensions (Identify Conflicting Software)

Right-click menus extended by third-party software — antivirus programs, cloud storage clients (OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive), archive tools (7-Zip, WinRAR), and Git clients — can crash File Explorer when they load a broken context menu handler.

Use ShellExView (free tool from NirSoft) to disable non-Microsoft extensions:

1. Download ShellExView from the NirSoft website.
2. Sort by Company and select all non-Microsoft extensions.
3. Press F7 to disable them all.
4. Restart Explorer and test — if crashes stop, re-enable extensions one by one to find the culprit.

Common offenders: antivirus context menu handlers, cloud sync overlays, and older archive tools not updated for Windows 11.

Fix 5: Run SFC and DISM Repair

System file corruption from a failed update is a frequent cause of File Explorer instability. Run both repair tools:

Open Command Prompt as Administrator:

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

Wait for DISM to complete (15–30 minutes), then:

sfc /scannow

Restart after both complete. If SFC reports "Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and repaired them," the system file corruption was the root cause.

Fix 6: Check for Windows Updates (April 2026 Bug Fix)

Microsoft released patches for File Explorer crashes in January 2026 (KB5074105) and again after the April 2026 cumulative update caused new crashes mid-navigation. Install all pending updates:

1. Press Win + I → Windows Update.
2. Click Check for updates.
3. Install everything, including optional updates.
4. Restart and test File Explorer.

Fix 7: Disable Thumbnail Previews

File Explorer crashes when navigating folders containing large video files or corrupted images can be caused by thumbnail generation. Disable thumbnails temporarily:

1. Open File Explorer Options (three dots → Options).
2. Click the View tab.
3. Check "Always show icons, never thumbnails".
4. Click Apply → OK.

If crashes stop, a specific file type's thumbnail handler is causing them. You can use ShellExView to identify and disable the problematic preview handler.

Fix 8: Run Check Disk to Repair Drive Errors

File system errors on your drive can cause Explorer to crash when accessing certain directories:

chkdsk C: /f /r

Type Y when prompted to schedule the scan at next restart, then reboot. CHKDSK runs before Windows loads and repairs any filesystem errors it finds.

Fix 9: Scan for Malware

Malware that injects into explorer.exe or hooks into the shell can cause repeated crashes. Run a full scan:

1. Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection.
2. Click Scan options → Full scan → Scan now.

Also run Malwarebytes (free version) for a second opinion, as some malware evades Defender.

Fix 10: Create a New User Account

If File Explorer only crashes for your user account, the profile data is corrupted:

1. Create a new local account via Settings → Accounts → Other users → Add account.
2. Log into the new account and test File Explorer.
3. If it works there, migrate your files and settings to the new account.

Prevent Future File Explorer Crashes

• Keep Windows 11 updated — Microsoft patches explorer.exe issues regularly
• Set File Explorer to open to "This PC" instead of Quick Access (lighter on memory)
• Periodically clear File Explorer history and jump lists
• Avoid installing too many context menu extensions — each one is a potential crash source

File Explorer crashing is preventing you from working? CloudHouse Technologies provides pay-per-ticket Windows 11 remote support — expert diagnosis and fix without a subscription.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Windows 11 File Explorer keep crashing after the latest update?

The April 2026 and January 2026 cumulative updates introduced known explorer.exe instability. Microsoft has issued patches — go to Windows Update and install all available updates including optional ones. If the crash started immediately after an update, roll back via Settings → Windows Update → Update History → Uninstall updates.

How do I stop File Explorer from crashing when right-clicking?

Right-click crashes are almost always caused by a broken shell extension installed by third-party software. Use ShellExView (free from NirSoft) to disable all non-Microsoft context menu handlers, then re-enable them one at a time to find the culprit.

Why does File Explorer show blank or white icons in Windows 11?

Blank icons indicate a corrupted icon cache. Open an administrator Command Prompt, run: del %userprofile%\AppData\Local\IconCache.db, then restart explorer.exe. Windows will rebuild the cache automatically.

Can I reset File Explorer to default settings in Windows 11?

Yes. Open File Explorer Options (three dots → Options → General tab), click Restore Defaults. On the View tab, click Reset Folders and Apply to Folders. This resets all view settings to Windows defaults.

Why does File Explorer crash when I open a specific folder?

A specific folder crash usually means that folder contains a file whose thumbnail handler is broken, or the folder itself has filesystem corruption. Disable thumbnail previews in File Explorer Options → View → Always show icons, never thumbnails. Then run chkdsk C: /f /r to repair filesystem errors.